Jupiter String Quartet to make Meany Hall debut Feb. 25

The Jupiter String Quartet will make its Meany Hall debut in a concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25. The concert is part of The UW World Series as part of the 2008-09 International Chamber Music Series.

Formed in 2001, the quartet is a close-knit group, comprising violinists Nelson Lee and Megan Freivogel, violist Liz Freivogel (older sister of Meg), and cellist Daniel McDonough (husband of Meg and brother-in-law of Liz). Sisters Meg and Liz grew up playing string quartets with their two brothers.

The quartet’s program will include Mendelssohn’s Quartet in A Minor, Op. 13; Arcadiana, Op. 12 (1994) by Thomas Ades and Beethoven’s Quartet in E Minor, Op. 59, No. 2.

The quartet chose its name because Jupiter was the most prominent planet in the night sky at the time of the group’s formation, and because the astrological symbol for Jupiter resembles the number four.

The quartet places a strong emphasis on developing relationships with future classical music audiences through outreach work in schools and through other educational performances. The quartet believes that chamber music, because of the intensity of its interplay and communication, is one of the most effective ways of spreading an enthusiasm for “classical” music to new audiences.

The group has received several recent chamber music honors, including first prize in the Banff International String Quartet Competition, the grand prize in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, membership in Lincoln Center’s Chamber Music Society Two, and the Cleveland Quartet Award from Chamber Music America.

Tickets are $33 for general admission, $30 for subscribers; $20 for students, and may be purchased by phone at 206-543-4880 or in person from the UW Arts Ticket Office.

For more information about the artists and programs in this series, visit online at www.uwworldseries.org.